JPH026153A - Printing head - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify the structure while improving the productivity by oppositely folding back first and second electrodes in a first flexible sheet, to which the first electrode is formed, and a second flexible sheet, to which the second electrode is shaped, and interposing a heating resistance layer between the first and second electrodes in the folding-back section. CONSTITUTION:Recording signal voltage is applied to recording electrodes 8... and a return electrode 11 while a printing head is moved relatively in the direction of the arrow X to a thermal transfer sheet 3. Consequently, the heating section 6a of a heating resistance layer 6, with which the lower end of the return electrode 11 is brought into contact, generates heat by Joule heat. The heat is transmitted over the thermal transfer sheet 3 through the return electrode 11 and a second flexible sheet 10, and transmitted over a heat fusing ink layer 14. The heat fusing ink layer 14 in a section corresponding to the heating section 6a is melted, and the melting section 14a is transferred to recording paper 2 under the melting section. Accordingly, the heat fusing ink layer 14 is melted to the recording paper 2 in response to recording signal voltage in the printing head 1, thus positively transferring the melting section 14a excellently.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] This invention relates to a thermal type printhead.

[Prior Art] A thermal head is widely known as a heat-sensitive print head used in printers and the like. This thermal head has a structure in which a glaze layer, a heating resistance layer, an electrode, and a protective layer are sequentially laminated on a ceramic substrate.

The glaze layer is formed opposite the heat generating resistor layer to prevent heat diffusion to the ceramic substrate, and the element forming the 0-8J11 anti-layer is made of a high melting point material. Recording electrodes and common electrodes are arranged alternately in contact with the upper surface of the zero-heating resistance layer made of metal, and when a current flows from a selected recording electrode to the common electrode, heat generation is generated between the two electrodes. Joule heat is generated in the resistance layer and radiated through the protective layer. The protective layer is made of an anti-oxidation film, an anti-wear layer 112, etc., and is selected to have good thermal conductivity and good stability against repeated thermal stress.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention 1] As described above, the conventional thermal head has a structure in which many layers are laminated using expensive materials, and recording electrodes and common electrodes are arranged alternately. Extremely high precision is required for electrode formation. As a result, productivity is poor,
Naturally, there is a problem in that it is expensive.

An object of the present invention is to provide a print head that has a simple structure, high productivity, and can be manufactured at low cost.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The print head of the present invention has a first electrode formed with a first electrode.
The flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet on which the second electrode is formed are folded back with the first electrode and the second electrode facing each other.

Further, a heat generating resistive layer is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode at least in this folded portion. In this case, the first flexible sheet has a large number of first electrodes serving as recording electrodes, and the second flexible sheet is formed in one plane over the entire width of the region where the first electrodes are formed. It has a second electrode. The heating resistance layer may be fixed on the first electrode or on the second electrode, and the first flexible sheet may be attached to the inside or outside of the second flexible sheet. Placed.

[Function] According to the print head of the present invention, the first flexible sheet on which the first electrode is formed and the second flexible sheet on which the second electrode is formed are connected to the first electrode and the second flexible sheet. Since the structure is such that the two electrodes are folded back to face each other, and a heating resistor layer is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode at least in the folded part, the structure is simple and the productivity is excellent. , can be manufactured at low cost. especially.

Since the first flexible sheet on which the first electrode is formed and the second flexible sheet on which the second electrode is formed are manufactured separately, productivity and yield are high. Since the sheet and the second flexible sheet are folded back with the first electrode and the second electrode facing inside, each flexible sheet itself becomes a wear-resistant layer for each electrode. In addition, since the second heat generating resistive layer can be formed by printing carbon ink or the like, it is desirable that the second heat generating resistive layer is fixed on the first electrode or the second electrode. By forming the second electrode on the second flexible sheet in a planar manner over the entire width of the region in which the first electrode is formed, the first flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet can be connected to each other by interposing the heating resistance layer. Positioning when folding back is extremely easy and can be made for Nohmoto fishing.

[First Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Figure 1 shows how a thermal print head is used to transfer images onto recording paper.
Thermal transfer is performed while sliding on the −L surface of the thermal transfer sheet 3 placed above, and the first electrode body 4 and the second electrode body 5 are overlapped and folded back in an rUJ shape, and this folded It has a structure in which a heating resistance layer 6 is interposed between each electrode body 4.5 in the section.

The first electrode body 4 is connected to one side of the first flexible sheet 7 (
A large number of recording electrodes 8 are formed on the outer surface), and a heat generating resistor layer 6 is formed on the recording electrodes 8. That is, it is folded back in an rUJ shape with the heat generating resistor layer 6 on the outside, and the support 9 is provided inside this folded portion. In this case, the first flexible sheet 7 is made of a flexible heat-resistant film such as polyimide. The recording electrodes 8 are made of a conductive material such as a metal foil, and are arranged in large numbers at regular intervals without a lead-like heating resistance layer 6.
. . . is made of carbon paste or the like, which will be described later. The portion of the second electrode body 5 that will be described later that is in contact with the return electrode 11 forms a heat generating portion 6 a . . . , and the recording electrode 8 . When a recording signal voltage is applied to the heating section 6a.
... generates heat. The support body 9 is a plastic board, the width of which is the same as the width of the first flexible sheet 7, and is attached to a base (not shown).

Further, the second electrode body 5 is a second flexible sea) 10
A return electrode 11 is formed in a planar shape on one surface (inner surface), and an insulating layer 12 is provided on the return electrode 11 except for the central portion thereof, that is, the portion corresponding to the folded portion of the first electrode body 4. These are folded back in an rUJ shape on the outside of the first electrode body 4 with the return electrode ll side facing inside. As a result, the return electrode 11 is exposed in the central portion where the insulating layer 12 is not provided, and the heating resistance layer 6 of the first electrode body 4 directly contacts the exposed return electrode 11.

The return electrode 11 records information via this heating resistance layer 6...
, tt pole 8... In this case, the second flexible sheet 1O is made of a flexible heat-resistant film, similar to the flexible sheet 7 of 51 described above, and is formed to have the same size as the first flexible sheet 7. There is. The return electrode 11 is made of a conductive material such as metal foil, and is made of a second flexible sheet lO
It is formed over the entire surface of the recording electrode 8, that is, the entire width of the formation area of the recording electrode 8. The insulating layer 12 is made of an insulating adhesive or the like, and has the function of insulating the recording electrodes 8 and the return electrode 11 as well as adhering the first electrode body 4 and the second electrode body 5 to each other. It is formed by screen printing, roll coating, etc., excluding the folded portion.

The thermal transfer sheet 3 has a heat-melting ink layer 14 provided on the lower surface of the base sheet 13, and the heat generated in the heat generating parts 6a of the print head l causes the heat melting parts 6a, .
The heat-melting ink layer 14 in the corresponding portions is melted, and this melted portion 14a is transferred to the lower recording paper 2.

Next, a case will be described in which the printing pad 1 as described above is manufactured.

First, when manufacturing the first electrode body 4, as shown in FIG.
), a first flexible sheet 7 is prepared. This first flexible sheet 7 is made of a heat-resistant film such as polyimide, and has a thickness of about 6 to 25 pma.
> m of order 0.

As shown in FIG. 2(B), a metal [15] is formed on the surface of the first flexible sheet 7 by vapor deposition, plating, or the like. This metal 1g115 serves as a recording electrode and is made of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), aluminum (A1), etc., and has a film thickness of about 0.1 to 0.5 #Lm. Further, the heat generating resistive layer 6 is fixed on the surface of the metal film 15 by screen printing, roll coating, etc. and hardened. The heat generating resistor layer 6 is, for example, a paste made of carbon powder mixed with a heat resistant binder, and has a thickness of about 5 to 20 ILm.The heat generating resistor layer 6 is as shown in FIG. First, a large number of leads are formed on the surface of the metal film 15 so as to be arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals (for example, 0.1 mm). In this state, when the metal g15 is etched, the first heat-generating resistor layer 6 becomes a resist and unnecessary parts of the metal film 15 are removed, and as shown in FIG. 2(D), the heat-generating resistor layer 5... Recording electrode 8 below...
・is formed. Thereby, the first electrode body 4 is formed.

In addition, when manufacturing the second electrode body 5, as shown in FIG. Electrodes 11 are formed. That is, the second flexible sheet 10 is exactly the same as the first flexible sheet 7, and the return electrode 11 has a metal layer 15 that becomes the recording electrode 8.
is exactly the same. Note that an insulating layer 12 is formed on the upper surface of the return electrode 11 by screen printing, roll coating, etc.
formed except for its central part. As a result, only the central portion of the return electrode ll is exposed, and the other portions are covered by the insulating layer 12.
covered with

In this way, after the first electrode body 4 and the second electrode body 5 are manufactured separately, they are overlapped and folded back in an rUJ shape. 4
The recording electrodes 8... and the return electrode 11 of the second electrode body 5 are made to face each other, and the exposed portion of the return electrode 11 that is not covered with the insulating layer 12 of the second electrode body 5 is connected to the recording electrode 8. The recording electrodes 8 are stacked facing each other in the arrangement direction, that is, across the recording electrodes 8. Then, the first electrode body 4 and the second electrode body 5 are bonded to each other by the adhesive force of the insulating layer 12. Then, the overlapping first electrode body 4 and second electrode body 5 are arranged in an rUJ shape with the first electrode body 4 on the inside in the portion of the return electrode 11 that is not covered with the insulating layer 12. Then, as shown in FIG.
1 and the heating resistance layer 6 of the first electrode body 4 are in contact with each other,
In this portion, the recording electrodes 8 . . . and the return electrode 11 are electrically connected, and the other portions are insulated by the insulating layer 12. The conduction between the recording electrodes 8 and the return electrode 11 can be made more reliable by inserting the support 9 into the folded portion of the first electrode body 4.

8. Next, a case will be described in which thermal transfer is performed using the printing pad 1 manufactured as described above.

In this case, first, as shown in the first CI, the thermal transfer sheet 3 is placed on the recording paper 2, and the heat-melting ink layer 14 of the thermal transfer sheet 3 is brought into close contact with the upper surface of the recording paper 2. In this state, the upper surface of the thermal transfer sheet 3, that is, the base sheet 1
Press RAD 1 onto the top surface of 3 to print. After the lower end of the print head l is pressed against the thermal transfer sheet 3 in this way, while moving the print head l relative to the thermal transfer sheet 3 in the direction of the arrow X, the recording electrodes 8... A recording signal voltage is applied to the return electrode 11. Then.

Heat generating portion 6 of heat generating resistor layer 6 that the lower end of return electrode 11 contacts
a generates heat due to Joule heat. This heat is a return type Jil
It is transmitted to the thermal transfer sheet 3 via the first flexible sheet 10 and the second flexible sheet 10, and further transmitted to the heat-melting ink layer 14 via the substitute sheet 13 of the thermal transfer sheet 3. Then, the portion of the heat-melting ink layer 14 corresponding to the first heat generating portion 6a is melted, and this melted portion 14a is transferred to the recording paper 2 below. Thereby, the print head 1 can melt the hot melt ink layer 14 onto the recording paper 2 in accordance with the recording signal voltage, and can transfer the melted ink layer 114a reliably and well.

Therefore, according to the above-mentioned printing guide 1, the first
The recording electrode 8 of the electrode body 4 has a heating resistance layer 6 on top of the recording electrode 8.
with the recording electrodes 8 and the return electrode 11 of the second electrode body 5 facing each other, and with the first electrode body 4 and the second electrode body 5 overlapping each other, a "U" Since it is folded back in a ``'' shape, it has a simple structure, excellent productivity, and can be manufactured at low cost. In particular, when the first electrode body 4 forms a large number of recording electrodes 8 on the surface of the first flexible sheet 7, the heat generating resistive layer 6 can also be formed at the same time. Manufacture becomes even easier, and workability improves because one set can be assembled. Further, since the second electrode body 5 only requires forming the return path electrode 11 made of a metal layer on the entire surface of the second flexible sheet 10, it is easy to manufacture. Since it acts as a wear-resistant layer, the return electrode 11 can be well protected. Further, the return electrode 11 has an insulating layer 12
are formed except for the central part thereof, and the central part of the return electrode 11 is exposed over the entire width of the formation area in the arrangement direction of the recording electrodes 8 . When folding the two to face each other, alignment of these can be easily performed, and production can be carried out efficiently.

[Second Example] Next, a second example will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In the print head 20 of the second embodiment, the recording electrodes 8 of the first electrode body 4 and the return electrode 11 of the second electrode body 5 are made to face each other, and when they are overlapped and folded back, The structure is such that the first electrode body 4 is turned outward and the second electrode body 5 is turned inside, and the support body 9 is arranged in the folded part of the second electrode body 5. Also in such a print head 20, the return electrode 11 of the second electrode body 5 is exposed at its folded portion without being covered with the insulating layer 12, and this exposed portion of the return electrode 11 is connected to the first electrode body. 4 recording type J
4i8... is in contact with the heat generating resistor layer 6... fixed on the heat generating resistor layer 6..., and this contacting portion of the heat generating resistive layer 6... constitutes a heat generating part 6a..., and this heat generating part 6a... The return electrode it and the recording electrode 8 are electrically connected through the .

Therefore, such a print head 20 can be manufactured in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, and when a recording signal voltage is applied to the recording electrodes 8 . . . The 9i/8 portions 6a... generate heat, and this heat can be transferred to the thermal transfer sheet 3 via the recording electrodes 8... and the first flexible sheet 7,
Thermal transfer can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In this case, the first flexible sheet 7 becomes the wear-resistant layer,
The recording electrodes 8... can be well protected, and the same effect as in the first embodiment described above is achieved.

[Third Example] Next, a third example will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. In this case as well, the same parts as in the first and second embodiments described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the printing pad 30 of the third embodiment is provided with a heating resistor layer 31 on the second electrode body 5 side, and other parts are almost the same as those of the second embodiment. It is composed of That is, the first electrode body 4 is formed by forming a large number of lead-shaped recording electrodes 8 arranged at equal intervals on the upper surface of the first flexible sheet 7. The second electrode body 5 is formed by forming a return electrode 11 on the entire surface of a second flexible seam 10, and forming a heat generating resistor layer 31 in the center part on the return electrode ll, and an insulating layer in other parts. 12. Then, the recording electrode 8 of the first electrode body 4
. . . and the return electrode ll of the second electrode body 5 are stacked facing each other in a portion corresponding to the heat generating resistor layer 31,
It is folded back with the first electrode body 4 on the outside and the second electrode body 5 on the inside, and the support body 9 is placed in the folded part of the second electrode body 5. Thereby, the print head 30 is configured.

Next, the production of such a printing pad 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. First, when creating the first electrode body 4, as shown in FIG. form a layer.

Then, a photoresist is applied onto this metal layer, and this photoresist is exposed through a mask and developed to form a resist film corresponding to the recording electrodes 8 on the metal layer. In this state, the metal layer is etched to remove unnecessary portions of the metal layer, and then the resist film is peeled off. As a result, a large number of strip-shaped recording electrodes are arranged on the first flexible sheet 7 at equal intervals.

Furthermore, when forming the second electrode body 5, as shown in FIG. 7, a return electrode 11 made of a metal layer is formed on the second flexible sheet IO. Then, the heating resistor layer 31 is fixed to the central portion of the return electrode 11, and the insulating layer 12 is fixed to the other portions by screen printing, roll coating, etc., and then hardened. In this case, the heating resistance layer 31 in the central portion is made of a paste or the like in which carbon powder is mixed with a heat-resistant binder, as in the first embodiment, and the entire widthwise direction of the second flexible sheet 10, that is, the first
The recording electrodes 8 of the electrode body 4 are formed over the entire width of the formation region in the arrangement direction.

After the first electrode body 4 and the second electrode body 5 are manufactured separately in this way, they are overlapped and folded back into a ``01'' shape, as in the case of the first embodiment. That is,
The recording electrodes 8 of the first electrode body 4 and the return electrode 11 of the second electrode body 5 are made to face each other, and the second electrode body 5
The heat generating resistive layers 31 are stacked facing each other in the arrangement direction of the recording electrodes 8, that is, across the respective recording electrodes 8. Then, the first electrode body 4 and the second electrode body 5 are bonded to each other by the insulating layer 12. Then, the superimposed first electrode body 4 and second electrode body 5 are folded back in a "U" shape at the heating resistor P531 with the first electrode body 4 on the outside. As shown in the figure, the recording electrodes 8 of the first electrode body 4 come into contact with the heat generating resistive layer 31 located in the folded portion, and the return path of the second electrode body 5 is caused by this heat generating resistive layer 31. It is electrically connected to the electrode 11. in this case.

The heat generating resistor layer 31 itself becomes a heat generating section. In addition, the second
The support body 9 is inserted and arranged in the folded part of the electrode body 5 as in the second embodiment.

This support 9 allows the recording electrodes 8 . . . and the return electrode 11 to be electrically connected more reliably.

Therefore, in such a printing electrode 30, when a recording signal voltage is applied to the recording electrodes 8 of the first electrode body 4 and the return electrode it of the second electrode body 5, heat generation occurs between them. The resistance layer 31 generates heat, and the heat is transmitted to the thermal transfer sheet 3 via the recording electrodes 8 and the second flexible sheet 7, and the heat melt ink layer of the thermal transfer sheet 3 is heated. 24 can be melted and transferred onto the recording paper 2. Further, such a print head 30 is
In addition to having the same effects as the first and second embodiments described above, in particular, the first electrode body 4 can be used as a general IC or LSI.
TAB (Tape Auto
For example, when forming the recording electrodes 8, a metal foil such as copper is bonded to the surface of the first flexible sheet 7. The zero-heating resistor layer 31, which can be easily manufactured by laminating the metal foil with a metal foil or the like and etching the laminated metal foil as described above, only needs to be provided at the center of the return electrode 11. The amount of material used can be reduced, and the overall thickness of the printing pad 30 can be made thinner by the amount of the heating resistor layer 31.

[Fourth Example] Next, a fourth example will be described with reference to FIG. In this case as well, the same parts as in each of the embodiments described above are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted.

The print head 40 of this fourth embodiment has a second electrode body 5 on which a heating resistance layer 31 is provided on the return path electrode 11, and a first electrode body 4, which are superimposed on each other. The structure is such that the first electrode body 4 is folded back in an rtJJ shape with the second electrode body 5 facing inside and the support body 9 disposed at the folded part of the first electrode body 4. Also in such a printing pad 40, the recording electrodes 8 of the @l electrode body 4 and the second electrode body 5
The return electrode 11 and the return electrode 11 are electrically connected to each other through the heat generating resistor layer 31 located at the folded portion thereof, and the heat generating resistor layer 31 itself forms a heat generating portion.

Therefore, such a printing pad 40 can be manufactured in the same manner as in the third embodiment described above.

Furthermore, when a recording signal voltage is applied to the recording electrodes 8 and the return electrode 11, the heating resistance layer 31 generates heat, and this heat is transferred to the thermal transfer sheet 3 via the return electrode 11 and the second flexible sheet 10. can be thermally transferred in the same manner as in the third embodiment.

Note that the print head of the present invention does not necessarily need to transfer onto the recording paper 2 via the thermal transfer sheet 3 as described above, and it is possible to perform the transfer without using the thermal transfer sheet 3 if heat-sensitive recording paper is used. can.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the print head of the present invention, the first flexible sheet on which the first electrode is formed and the second flexible sheet on which the second electrode is formed. and the first electrode and the second electrode are folded back to face each other, and at least a heating resistance layer is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode in this folded part. It has a simple structure, high productivity, and can be manufactured at low cost. In particular, since the first flexible sheet on which the first electrode is formed and the second flexible sheet on which the second electrode is formed are manufactured separately, productivity is high and the yield is high. Since the flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet are folded back with the first electrode and the second electrode facing inside, each flexible sheet itself becomes a wear-resistant layer for each electrode. Also 1
Since the heating resistance layer can be formed by printing carbon ink or the like, it is preferable to fix it on the first electrode or the second electrode. By forming an electrode on the second flexible sheet in a planar manner over the entire width of the region where the first electrode is formed, the first flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet are folded back with a heating resistance layer interposed therebetween. This makes positioning extremely easy and can be manufactured efficiently.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a state in which thermal transfer is performed on recording paper by a print head, and FIGS. 3 is a perspective view of the main parts of the second electrode body, FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the print head of the second embodiment, and FIG.
7 to 7 show the third embodiment, FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing thermal transfer to recording paper by the print head, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the main part showing the first electrode body, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part showing a second electrode body, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing a print head of a fourth embodiment. l, 20.30.40...Printing he, de, 4.
...First electrode body, 5...Second electrode body, 6.31...Heating resistance layer 57...First flexible sheet, 8 ... Recording electrode (first electrode), 10 ... Second flexible sheet, 11 ... Return [tJ4i (second electrode). Patent applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) Folding back a first flexible sheet on which a first electrode is formed and a second flexible sheet on which a second electrode is formed, with the first electrode and the second electrode facing each other; and at least the first folded portion
A print head characterized in that a heating resistance layer is interposed between the electrode and the second electrode. (2) The first flexible sheet has a large number of first electrodes serving as recording electrodes, and the heat generating resistor layer has a plurality of first electrodes that serve as recording electrodes.
Claim 1, wherein the second flexible sheet has a second electrode formed in one plane over the entire width of the area where the first electrode is formed.
The print head described in section. (3) The print head according to claim 2, wherein the first flexible sheet is arranged inside the second flexible sheet. (4) The print head according to claim 2, wherein the second flexible sheet is arranged inside the first flexible sheet. (5) The first flexible sheet has a large number of first electrodes serving as recording electrodes, and the second flexible sheet is formed in one plane over the entire width of the region where the first electrodes are formed. 2. The print head according to claim 1, further comprising a second electrode, and wherein the heating resistance layer is fixed onto the second electrode. (6) The print head according to claim 5, wherein the first flexible sheet is arranged inside the second flexible sheet. (7) The print head according to claim 5, wherein the second flexible sheet is arranged inside the first flexible sheet.